Shipping Container Leveling
& Foundation Prep.
Stop fighting stuck doors and sinking frames. We provide professional lifting, blocking, and foundation leveling for empty containers across OR & WA.
- Fix "Racked" Frames & Stuck Doors
- Lift Sinking Containers Out of Mud
- Proper Wood Block & Railroad Tie Support
Leveling & Transport Quote
Type "On Property" for the drop-off location.
Why Leveling is Absolutely Critical
Containers are incredibly strong, but they are engineered to carry weight exclusively on their four corner castings. When you place a container on raw, unlevel dirt, two massive problems occur: moisture rot and structural racking.
Solving "Racked" Frames
If one corner of your container sinks into the mud, the entire steel frame twists slightly out of square. This is called racking. When a frame racks, the heavy steel door hinges bind up, making it nearly impossible to open or close the container.
We use our tilt-bed winches to gently lift your empty container off the ground. Once lifted, you can place pressure-treated 6x6 blocks or railroad ties underneath the corner castings. We then set it down perfectly square so your doors swing open with one hand.
Proper Blocking Materials
- Pressure-Treated 6x6s: Excellent rot resistance and strong enough to support the corner weight.
- Railroad Ties: Thick, heavy, and treated to withstand decades of ground contact.
- Compacted Gravel Pads: The best long-term solution for drainage.
- Concrete Footings: Ideal for permanent placements.
Leveling & Foundation FAQs
Specific details on preparing your site and fixing racked frames.
Why won't my shipping container doors open?
If a container is not sitting on perfectly level ground, the heavy steel frame twists. This is called "racking." When the frame racks, the door hinges bind, making them nearly impossible to open. Leveling the container fixes this instantly.
What should I put under my shipping container?
Containers should never sit directly on raw dirt. We highly recommend using pressure-treated 6x6 wood blocks, railroad ties, concrete footings, or compacted gravel pads placed under the corner castings.
Does the entire bottom need to be supported?
No. Shipping containers are engineered to carry their entire load weight exclusively on the four corner castings. Supporting the middle is generally unnecessary for 20ft containers, though center supports are sometimes added for 40ft units on soft ground.
Can you level a container that is sinking into the mud?
Yes. Using our heavy-duty tilt-bed winches, we can lift the sunken empty container out of the mud, allow you to place solid blocking or gravel underneath, and gently set it back down perfectly square.
Can you level my container if it is full of cargo?
No. Winching or lifting a loaded container from one end can cause catastrophic damage to the container floor and severely overload our equipment. The container must be completely empty before we can lift and level it.
How does placing blocks prevent rust?
Lifting the container just 6 inches off the ground allows air to flow underneath the steel floor joists. This prevents ground moisture from condensing under the wood flooring and rusting the cross-members over time.
What Our Clients Say
My container sank into the dirt over the winter, and I literally could not pry the doors open anymore. Shift came out, lifted the whole thing, let me slide railroad ties underneath, and now the doors open with one hand. Lifesavers.
I bought a container from a private seller who just dropped it on my lawn. It was completely unlevel. They dispatched a driver who winched it up and squared it off perfectly on my gravel pad.
We had to level three 40-foot units on our commercial lot. Their winch trucks had no problem lifting them so we could slide massive concrete blocks under the corners. Very fast and professional.
If your container doors are stuck, call these guys. I tried everything before realizing the frame was twisted. They lifted it, squared it out, and saved me a huge headache.